Why #isupportgary

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Edit ... 3rd October 2018

We are very excited, and relieved to be able to share the news that AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner's Regulation Agency) have dropped all charges against Gary after 4 1/2 years of us insisting that he had done nothing wrong. To incident of patient harm nor patient complaint having been identified. Not only have they cleared Gary’s name of any wrong-doing, they have even apologised in writing!

They may silence the messenger, but they can’t silence the message …

While a brave man may stand up for what he believes in, it takes a courageous man to then speak out about his beliefs and expose controversial findings. Especially when he knows full well he will be ridiculed, harassed and bullied by those who either don’t understand, won’t take the time to listen, or those who feel confronted by concepts that go against everything they have previously thought to be right.

Why #isupportgary

I wrote my first blogpost (intro above) in July 2014, when Gary received the notification that he had been reported to AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) by a dietitan for recommending that his patients with weight-related joint issues, chronic metabolic disease, and diabetes complications reduce sugar and processed carbohydrates in their diet and reintroduce healthy natural fats.

The Blogpost was written from the heart. How could it not be? My husband of 30 years was lying in a hospital bed, again. This time recovering from a hip replacement, and all I could think about was the amazing things this man does for others. For family, friends, the community and the environment.

He is their voice and someone wanted to 'silence' him.

It has always been about Quality Assurance and Patient Safety

My most recent articles (February 2018) "Enough is Enough" Dr Gary Fettke and "Airing Dirty Laundry ... is this what fighting for health has come down to?" explain the difficulties Gary has had to face in this workplace for raising awareness about Quality Assurance and Patient Safety within the Tasmanian Health System since 2012. His questions and concerns led to bullying behaviour and his recommendations to patients have been undermined and obstructed for years now. He was punished by being reported to the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in 2014 and subsequently investigated for 2 1/2 years.

Late last year Gary was finally given access to the AHPRA submission, collated by the Medical Director of Clinical Services, on behalf of the THS. The 845 pages included internal and external communications carried out between more than 50 people, and contained unsubstantiated, vexatious material despite no case of patient harm nor patient complaint.

What is LCHF?

What do Low Carb Healthy Fat principles mean? Please take a look here where I explain the concept and also include downloadable links to the #isupportgary Starter Guide and a 'What to expect when you go Low Carb' resource to help you get started on your journey to take back control of your health :-)

My husband is a man who is passionate about health. Something that happens when life is so close to being taken away from you and then you get a second chance to live…

Gary's background

Gary has been an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Launceston, Tasmania, for 25 years. He questions the current 'sick-care' model of band-aiding which he believes is unsustainable for his patients, the community, and our healthcare budget. Considering 'food as medicine' and encouraging his patients to reduce sugar and processed carbohydrates, while reintroducing healthy natural fats back into the diet, improves their health outcomes. Especially for people with weight-related joint issues, chronic metabolic disease, inflammation, diabetes and the debilitating complications.

AHPRA stepped in ...

AHPRA pursued a two-and-a-half year investigation into Gary’s qualifications, as a medical doctor, to give nutritional advice and to speak on the science of what we eat and its central role in our health. AHPRA came down with their final ruling 'silencing' him, 2 hours after he presented at a Senate Inquiry into the failed AHPRA process.

The Medical Board of Tasmania, under the umbrella of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency, have advised him; ”In particular, that he does not provide specific advice or recommendations on the subject of nutrition and how it relates to the management of diabetes or the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.”

Gary is not allowed to comment on the central role of nutrition in preventative health, nor in the management of chronic illness on any social media platform.

“There is nothing associated with your medical training or education that makes you an expert or authority in the field of nutrition, diabetes or cancer. Even if, in the future, your views on the benefits of the LCHF lifestyle become the accepted best medical practice this does not change the fundamental fact that you are not suitably trained or educated as a medical practitioner to be providing advice or recommendations on this topic.”

Even if, in the future, your views on the benefits of the LCHF lifestyle become the accepted best medical practice this does not change the fundamental fact that you are not suitably trained or educated as a medical practitioner to be providing advice or recommendations on this topic.

AHPRA Medical Board of Tasmania

Gary has been silenced and told not discuss nutrition with his patients in any clinical setting, regardless of any undue stress on joints before replacement, inflammation, or even diabetes complications requiring amputation. #itisntfair

Tim Noakes

This scenario has been similar to the case of Professor Tim Noakes in South Africa. Tim and Gary have been communicating regularly. The difference between the cases is that Gary has been judged behind closed doors and Tim’s has been in courtrooms. Gary’s investigation was the result of an anonymous notification and throughout the process he remains unaware of the peers that are judging him. It seems a strange system, where you are guilty until proven innocent. In Gary's case, his ruling is lifelong and non-appellable. How can this possibly be?

Please help

I have been on this journey with Gary and have my own opinion on matters related to health. My qualification to comment, I have none. My previous work as a Registered Nurse is unlikely to give me any current expertise, but, like so many people living the LCHF life, I have seen the benefits in myself and in those around me who have decided to Choose Health.

If you are interested in helping me continue to question the science, promote the role that Low Carb Healthy Fat principles play in both the management and the prevention of disease, and would like to help me be to become louder than ever before, please join me as #isupportgary

If you would like to receive regular updates via a monthly #isupportgary newsletter, you can sign up here.

Remembering that it is now my voice, anything written/said is not to be taken as individual or specific medical advice for health conditions. I would always encourage you to see your doctor or health professional to individualise treatment and lifestyle advice.